This series comprises reports, surveys, maps, plans, and photographs of places and areas in theatres of war in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. The reports were compiled for use in strategic and tactical planning, and comprise information on climate, health and medical resources, communications and transport facilities, and power supplies, including a series of oilfields investigation reports prepared for the British Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee.

The records of the Inter-service Topographical Department were transferred to the library of the Joint Intelligence Bureau in 1945, and records created for or collected by the Bureau were then added to these to form this series.